Intel and Nokia said Wednesday that they’re working closely together to get WiMax-enabled devices on the market in 2008 when Sprint Nextel plans to launch parts of its new WiMax network. The companies announced at the WiMax World Tradeshow in Chicago that they’d work together to ensure interoperability between Intel’s WiMax chips and Nokia’s laptop devices. Intel will also work with Nokia Siemens Networks to ensure interoperability between Intel’s chips and Nokia Siemens’ networking gear.

Intel and Nokia are both strong proponents of WiMax, a wireless technology that provides faster speeds than cellular technology, but offers service over longer distances than Wi-Fi. And both companies are providing technology and equipment to Sprint Nextel, which is currently building out a nationwide WiMax network. Intel, Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks said they’ve already begun testing their gear with equipment with dozens of other vendors in Sprint’s Herndon, Va., testing labs. The companies hope that this early interoperability testing will reduce the time it takes to ensure these products work with other devices, ultimately speeding up adoption of the technology and getting products to market more quickly. The Internet tablets will be among the very first WiMax-enabled devices to ship in 2008.